Travel through our timeline of major events in Tanzania's history.

600 B.C. - 400 B.C.:
Bantu-speaking peoples move into the area east of Lake Victoria

100:
Arab traders travel routes between Africa’s west and east coasts. Gold, ivory, cloth and beads are exchanged. Arab culture and religion spread.

1498:
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama becomes the first European to reach the East African coast.

1699:
Portuguese ousted from Zanzibar by Omani Arabs.

1886:
Germany and Britain sign an agreement giving Germany control of a portion of East Africa

1905-06:
German troops suppress a revolt by the indigenous Maji Maji.

1911:
Although Zanzibar is under British rule, Khalifa ibn Harub becomes sultan of the island. He exerts a strong influence until his death in 1960.

1919:
After Germany’s defeat in World War I, Britain, Belgium and Portugal take over parts of East Africa.

1947:
Tanganiyaka is placed under United Nations trusteeship.

1961:
Tanganiyaka becomes independent.

1963:
Zanzibar becomes independent.

1964:
Tanganiyaka and Zanzibar merge to form one nation. Six months later, the new nation adopts the name Tanzania.

1979:
Tanzanian forces invade Uganda and help to oust President Idi Amin.

2001:
A new goldmine, the Bulyanhulu, opens near the town of Mwanza, making Tanzania Africa’s third largest gold producer.